A church schools' inspector has rated a Derbyshire primary school as "outstanding" for the way in which it has "strong leadership at all levels" and "meets the needs of all of its pupils".

The top rating for Scargill C of E Primary School comes less than six months after an inspector from Ofsted initially rated the school as "inadequate" and then following a complaint and a re-inspection, this was upgraded to "requires improvement", together with an apology for the way the previous inspection had been carried out.

The newest inspection outcome of "outstanding" led the school's head teacher to remark that it had been "an eventful year".

Church schools undergo two separate types of inspection – Ofsted and also the Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools (SIAMS). The SIAMS determines the distinctiveness and effectiveness of a church school.

In the latest report, church inspector Lizzie McWhirter said that the West Hallam school, which has 398 pupils on roll, is a "welcoming and nurturing Christian community grounded in a strong Christian ethos".

In her report, she said that pupils were "proud to be Scargill citizens" and displayed Scargill values such as generosity, respect and forgiveness in daily life, linking them to biblical teaching.

Teachers and pupils have met quite a few inspectors in the past eight months.

She also praised the partnership between the school and nearby St Wilfrid's Church and added: "Strong leadership at all levels, good governance and dedicated staff ensure excellent team work within a supportive Christian environment. As a result, pupils grow in confidence and achieve well."

The report states that the school, through its distinctive Christian character, is outstanding at meeting the needs of all learners and that the impact of collective worship on the school community is "outstanding". The inspector found that the effectiveness of the religious education was good and that the effectiveness of the leadership and management of the school as a church school was outstanding.

Head teacher Andrew Poole said: "I am proud of our whole Scargill family. To be rated as 'outstanding' is a wonderful end to an eventful year."

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There were only two points highlighted as areas to improve, which had already been identified by the school. These were to embed monitoring of religious education by the school's governors and to extend the programme of visits and visitors to enable pupils to meet people of all faiths more frequently and deepen their knowledge of Christianity.

Webster, chair of governors, said: "The governors were delighted that the SIAMS report described the Scargill we know and love. We have reorganised our committee structure to include a school improvement forum, which will help the governors to monitor RE and collective worship more efficiently and effectively."

A view across the Scargill primary school field.

Rev Gill Turner-Callis, rector at St Wilfrid's Church, added: "I am so pleased to have received this confirmation from the inspector that our school is 'outstanding' in its spiritual and relational life, as well as in its religious education. This is a true reflection of the ethos of the school and my sincere thanks to the children, parents, teachers and governors who make Scargill what it is

Ofsted first inspected the school last November and the draft report was received in January to be sent out to parents and local media. Senior staff at the school also contacted Ofsted to query some of the points made by the inspection team. In a move that Ofsted itself has acknowledged is rare, the inspectorate did not officially publish the first report and agreed to visit the school again.

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Three key areas of the school's effectiveness were assessed as "good" after inspectors returned to the school in January. The new report also praised the school for its broad and balanced curriculum and the teaching of phonics.

Areas which required attention, according to the second set of Ofsted inspectors, are school leadership and governance, teaching and assessment and safety, behaviour and welfare.